Page 45 of The Forbidden Fling

Faye

Faye did exceptionally well throughout her entire guidance session not to puke. Between assuring the sweet elderly Beatriz that she was alright and taking breaks to gather herself in the toilet, she’d still left the counsellor’s office with the world swaying underneath her feet.

Diana was Molly’s mum.

What?!

It didn’t make any sense. Everything seemed…wrong. It didn’t add up. How could Molly and Diana be related? They were nothing alike.

The thoughts continued to rock side to side in her brain, following the motion of Riley’s buggy as they rounded each corner. Faye had been hoping to snag a trip to the wildlife centre, but now Riley had offered one, it didn’t feel like the right time.

Senhor Arenoso said the familiar guides helped navigate them on their path, but Faye figured this one might perplex even some of the most respected familiars. What was she supposed to do in this situation? Pretend it never happened? Her whole body wilted at the thought of last night never happening again. It wasn’t as if she and Molly were anything serious. Faye’s health issues and Molly’s reluctance to travel meant they’d only met up enough times to count on one hand. Would it be so bad if she and Diana continued things? Especially if it was only for these few weeks anyway?

Ugh. She just wanted to bury her head in the sand and wake up from this strange dream.

“You’re quiet,” Riley commented, giving her a sideways glance. “Everything alright?”

The seat vibrated underneath her as they drove over a pile of stones. “Just feeling a bit off.” She clung to the overhead grip to steady herself.

“Is it my driving?”

“Compared to Ella’s, this is like flying first class.”

Riley laughed as the path thinned out and the trees towered above them. “She does drive like she’s outrunning a zombie horde.”

The wind blew a few stray hairs from Faye’s ponytail, and they tickled her face. She turned back to the greenery, breathing in the fresh air. Her insides still warbled with every thought.

Diana.

Molly.

Stop it.

The jagged mountains in the distance rose up to kiss the blue sky. She closed her eyes, wishing she could magic herself to the top. Maybe the change in altitude would give her some clarity.

Poor Beatriz, Faye’s counsellor, had seemed confused by her reluctance to open up. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to; she just had no idea how to form her thoughts into words.

The older woman had shot Faye a curious look over her notepad. “Telling someone new about your ostomy is a big step. How did it make you feel?”

Faye folded her hands in her lap. At the time, telling Diana had been a relief. Like stepping out into a cool, misty rain on a hot summer’s day. It had almost felt as though she’d stressed over nothing, the way Diana had listened, how she hadn’t pulled away. The calmness in her gaze. Her soft hand holding Faye’s, smoothing the ridges Faye had scratched into the skin.

“It felt good,” she told Beatriz, unable to look her in the eye.

“Each time should get a little easier and increase your confidence,” Beatriz had said. “Would you like to walk me through it?”

But remembering the moment now made her queasy. Diana would probably never look at her that way again.

She swallowed. “Sorry. I need to go to the bathroom.” Holding one hand over her bag, she dashed out of the room. She didn’t like to use her bag as an excuse, but she couldn’t say for sure if she could end the session without Beatriz ending up covered in her morning croissants.

Riley pulled the buggy to a stop, jarring her from the memory. “We have to walk from here, but it’s not far.”

Faye stepped out, unsteady on her feet, and grabbed her backpack from the back seat. The path they’d been following had narrowed into a thin trail disappearing into the forest. An earthy scent hit Faye as soon as they stepped among the trees.

“How was your session this morning?” Riley asked.

She stumbled over a thick root and righted herself. “It was fine.”

Riley sighed. “I know I’m the manager of the course.” She marked the word with her fingers, bumping Faye’s shoulder. “But I’m told I’m a good listener too. I know all this soul-searching can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but you’ve got the support around you to help make sense of it, okay?”